The collection is open for research.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], LactAid, Inc., Collection, Ms2011-008, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
LactAid, Inc., Collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 2010.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the LactAid, Inc., Collection was completed in January 2011.
With an estimated one third to the population having some form of lactose intolerance, LactAid, Inc., came up with a product that would allow for this part of the population to still continue drinking and eating milk products. In the 1950s, they looked into the addition of enzymes to milk as a way to modify the lactose. In 1974, The SugarLo Company (progenitor of Lactaid, Inc.), obtained an exclusive license for the K. marxianus Var. lactis lactase enzyme.
The product was first offered to the public in a single-dose pack to break down 70% of the enzyme. The powder dose pack was phased out in 1981 in favor of the sterile liquid form, a product that cost the consumer about 5 cents a glass at the time. Later, the company introduce the milk already treated, in chocolate, nonfat, 1%, 2%, or calcium-fortified. From there, more products were brought to the consumer- cottage cheese, American Cheese, lactase capsules, and Dairy-Ease chewable tablets.
Additional information about the company is available on the website: http://www.lactaid.com/.
The collection contains a promotional folder from LactAid, Inc., including information on products. Located within the folder is the boxes for the tablets, milk cartons and mock-up drawings of the wrappers for the cheese products. There are advertisements for companies to have in their stores, pamphlets on how the product is the answer to your problems, and store price suggestions. Also included in the folder is a sample of the product.
The collection is in its original order.
The guide to the LactAid, Inc., Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/).